Mumps: Canada, the virus and the vaccine and why the comeback

Mumps has seen a resurgence in Canada as well as here in the United States. Outbreak have been reported in Toronto, Manitoba and Alberta to date.

Visiting Scientist at the University of Guelph, Jason “The Germ Guy” Tetro, joined me on the Outbreak News This Week Radio Show to discuss mumps and the reasons it has made a comeback.

Jason gives a thorough talk on mumps and goes on explain the situation in Toronto and how that outbreak is being dealt with–by the public and by health officials.

He goes on to talk about why mumps has seen a resurgence, as he explains in his recent article in Huffington Post Canada, “The trouble wasn’t due to the vaccine. Instead, it was virus. It had changed.”

Many universities that have experienced mumps outbreaks recently have recommended a 3rd booster dose of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. When asked if there is evidence showing the 3rd vaccine is effective, Tetro answers unequivocally, “Yes”, and explains.